As part of our interview series, My Happy Home, Nicki Chapman talks about her garden glow-up, her childhood memories growing up in Kent, and how she's finally embracing colour in her home.
Nicki Chapman is a British TV and radio presenter who rose to fame as a judge on the ITV television series Popstars and Pop Idol. Since then, she has hosted Wanted Down Under Revisited, Escape To The Country and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Nicki also regularly sits in for Zoe Ball on the BBC Breakfast Show and Vanessa Feltz on Early Breakfast.
The presenter lives in West London with her husband Dave Shack and volunteers at Mary Portas Living and Giving Charity Shop.
What makes you happiest at home?
NC: This might sound weird, but just being at home. Over the past two years, my home and garden have been my sanctuary. Our home was originally two flats, but we bought it just as the developer was putting it back into one house. We put a lot of time and effort into completely redoing the house. Then, last year, I had the garden re-landscaped by Mark Gregory. Mark has done an incredible job! It's still looking pristine, but my husband has to take full credit for that. It offers me peace and tranquility when times are difficult.
Whether it's painting the hallway or finishing the garden, there's always one project going on each year. We're currently having the loft done. We're not going into the loft, but we're just making it a better space to hang clothes and utilise that area. I have more coats than anyone I know. You want your house to breathe. There is a cost implication of going up into the loft, but it frees up the main house.
What is the best home bargain you’ve ever snapped up?
NC: I'm looking at it now. It's my B&B Italia table and chairs. Anyone who has ordered table and chairs knows they are pretty expensive, no matter where you go. After I ordered mine, I asked the man in the shop if he had anything similar so I could see the colours. All they had was a scratched table, but it was pretty similar to the one I had ordered. He took me to the back and I saw this beautiful table with only a few scratches on it. He said they had to wait until the sale to sell it because it was damaged. I asked if I could buy it and it only cost me around £700 or £800! It's stunning.
I also bought the chairs in the sale. It's one of the best home bargains because it is a beautiful piece of architecture, purchased for just a fraction of the price. It's going to get marked anyway because it's in my home. I love my home, but it's also a home. It's not a showpiece.
Tell us about your favourite memory at home
NC: My favourite memory is growing up with my mum, dad and sister in Herne Bay, Kent. We had a 1970s new build house on a very small estate. We were house number 14 at the end of cul-de-sac. It was just a beautiful time in the 70s and early 80s. We would play in the road and in the woodland next door. My dad built a ladder over the fence so that my sister and I could climb over the fence and run into the woods. Realistically, would you now let your nine-year-old go scampering through the woodlands next to you? I don't know whether you would, but it was safe. This woodland, maybe 10 or 15 acres, was in the middle of a town, almost derelict really. We would take cups and saucers, mum would give us orange squash and we would make little camps. It was our escapism and it was magical.
We would play for hours on end and my mother would whistle to tell us when it was tea time. It was a wonderful time growing up. My sister was a little bit older than me but we just used to play together. My parents had a beach house and a dog. It's not Enid Blyton, but it was pretty close.
What is the best decorating advice that you've ever received?
NC: The best decorating advice I ever received is not to buy the cheapest or the most expensive carpet. Go for the middle-range carpet. The cheapest carpet is not going to last you and you'll probably get bored with the most expensive one. The middle one will be good until you're ready to replace it. I thought that was really good advice. Carpets are really expensive! Unless you're renting, you might regret it. I'm not going to want really, really plush thick carpets in 25 years time.
Where do you shop for the best homewares?
NC: I try to shop locally on my high street to support people — it's thriving and does really well. Look around you and try to buy independent using your feet, rather than always buying online. I work in my local charity shop and without our high street we will lose a huge part of our community. You also don't need to return so much stuff. We've got to think about how we shop to help the planet. Sitting at home and ordering loads of stuff can be lovely, but sending it back isn't so. If you've got a local high street, use it.
My girlfriend tried to buy every single Christmas present from our high street. I thought that was such a wonderful thing to do. She literally put her trainers on, got a massive shopping bag and did all her Christmas shopping on the high street. John Lewis is always brilliant, too. I do shop online, but I'm a big fan of going in and looking at stuff. You know what you want and you won't return it. I only buy items that I know 99 per cent will work or fit.
You also don't have to spend a fortune when it comes to homewares. We try every year to refresh one part of the house, but you don't need to buy a brand new sofa, look for second hand. My friend was walking down the street and spotted this beautiful 1970s table made from wood, glass and tiles. He said someone left it out on the street because the glass was broken. He put it over his shoulder and carried it on the bus. He got someone to fix it for £20 at the local glass shop and then they gave him a lift home. How brilliant is that! He got a beautiful 1907s retro table for £20 because he replaced the glass.
If you could have a snoop around anyone’s house, whose would it be and why?
NC: It would either be the private rooms at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, or going back in time to look around a stately home to see how they lived. Somewhere like Hampton Court maybe. If I was going to snoop around someone's house, I would like to go back in time. It would be fascinating. We don't realise what it would be like to have an outside toilet or having to wash in a pail of water. I'd like to go back and look at houses over the centuries. But it would have to be the posh houses!
What is your most treasured possession at home? Why is it so special?
NC: That's so good! I've got some beautiful paintings by Pete McKee. He's the most incredible artist. He's a painter, commercial artist and cartoonist from Sheffield. He did some personalised pictures of my husband and I, and they're probably my most treasured possessions at home.
We love our artwork at home, but that will have to be my most special one because it's personalised. It's like the front cover of an album. He's got me as a blonde girl in my 20s wearing denim and listening to Debbie Harry, and then my husband is in his rock band with long hair. I'm sure people always say wedding rings, but that's one of our most treasured possessions.
What would your perfect night at home look like?
NC: It would start off in the garden, eating alfresco. We would have all the lights on in the garden, plus the water feature too so there's that trickle of water. It's just so peaceful and drowns out some of the noise of the city. The sun would be setting and there'd be dappled light. My husband would be cooking something on the BBQ, which we would enjoy with some bubbles. The bi-fold doors would be open. As it gets cooler, we'd put blankets over us and have candles on everywhere. Then we would come inside and make a Margarita or Strawberry Daiquiri. It's a lovely thing to have outdoor space. I know I'm very fortunate because not everyone has it.
Our garden has an area to sit outside in the sunshine, an area of shade and an area to sit with coffee. We have this huge wooden chest — something we call the panic room — because we don't have room for a shed. It's a bench, but underneath is storage space. We've got bird food, cushions and blankets inside. I call it the panic room because if anything ever happened we would dive into it. We make the outside space work as much as possible for us. We've got hornbeam at the back and six peach trees which gives us privacy, but also encourages nature and wildlife. It is a sanctuary. We don't want to cut our neighbours out because we love them. Sometimes we stand on the bench and have drinks over the fence.
I'm very fortunate because I've got trees all around. No one directly looks into my garden, which is lovely. I've got a variety of different trees, all various hues of green. I can see blue sky, some puffy white clouds and a few little grey clouds. That's a lovely place to be if you live in the town or the city.
What does your outdoor space mean to you?
NC: It means a sanctuary, privacy and being at one with wildlife. When we had the garden re-landscaped, we started from scratch and pulled everything out to start again. It was an investment and was worth absolutely every penny. We wanted a space where we could work, so we've got Wi-Fi outside. It's an extension of the home. We've introduced more trees, so it's much more wildlife-friendly with lots of birds, insects, bees and butterflies. It's green all-year round. I like the seasons, but I also like greenery. It's also manageable, which is so important.
Which room do you spend most of your time in? And how did you decorate this space?
NC: We spend most of our time in our open-plan kitchen. Here, we have a TV, rugs, scatter cushions, two vases of flowers, artwork, and a dining table for eight, which can extend to 10. I love the open-plan feel. We've got sky lights, so the place is flooded with light. It's a beautiful, open, spacious communal area. Don't take your shoes off. Just come on in and flop. I love my house.
What would top your list for the worst decor trend?
NC: I wouldn't say there is anything that is awful, but I can't ever imagine having an avocado-coloured bathroom suite. When decor first comes in fashion you always think it's horrible, but then a few years later everyone is back on it again. Who would have thought five years ago we would be fighting for William Morris-inspired wallpaper?
My house was always very neutral, but now we've got really colourful wallpaper in various patterns, golds and greens. I wouldn't have done that 10 years ago, but now I'm really embracing all those colours.
If you could design your dream home, what things would you want to include?
NC: No one has ever asked me that question before! If I was going to design my dream home, I'd have a bigger garden. I'd have a garden 10 times the size of my garden now. I would invest all the money in the garden. That would be my number one priority.
I would want all the bedrooms to be spacious and have en-suites. It would be light and airy, with solar panels to ensure it's more mindful about the environment. I think my dream house would be by the sea, but I wouldn't want a sea garden. I'm really going for it! I would also want huge eco-friendly windows and doors, using all the best new technology for the environment. Wouldn't it be great to open those bi-fold doors or step out on the balcony which overlooks the sea. How brilliant.
Nicki is hosting the Gardeners' World Live Theatre from 16th-19th June at the NEC, Birmingham. She will also be presenting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 23rd-27th May on BBC One.
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12 stylish garden hammocks to help you unwind outdoors this summer
A perfect spot to read or snooze in the sun, this vibrant hammock has opulent tassels, a sturdy frame, and a fun strawberry print. Now all we need is a little sunshine...
Width: 220 cm
Length: 110 cm
Fabric: 100% Cotton, Sal Wood
Sail into the sun with Crocus' delightful checked hammock, complete with wooden bars. Whether you have a large garden or a tiny terrace, this style can be secured to either a tree or sturdy frame. Best of all, it has been made from recycled materials.
Width: 128cm
Length: 230cm
Fabric: Recycled denim and T-shirt fabric with polyester
On the hunt for a hanging hammock chair? Made from a polycotton weave, this lovely design is great for both indoors and out. It will be delivered fully assembled, but it's worth knowing that you have to order the hooks separately. We love the fringing detailing, which adds a summer boho vibe.
Width: 80cm
Length: 118cm
Fabric: Polycotton weave
Want something a little different? Swing into sunny days with this stylish blush pink hammock chair. Like a giant swing for adults, it has a hooped frame and tassels flowing around the base.
Width: 113cm
Length: 145cm
Fabric: Up-cycled cotton and pine wood
We've got this stylish garden hammock right at the top of our wish list. With birch wooden ends, tassel fringing and a cotton-blend fabric, it's the perfect place for swinging in the sunshine. Pick up the matching hammock stand for ease.
Width: 100cm
Length: 120cm
Fabric: Cotton and polyester
A garden sofa might provide a more communal spot to relax, but there's something incredibly calming about swinging on a hammock. We've got our eye on this brand new nautical-inspired hammock from Wayfair, which is available to snap up for just £26.99.
Width: 100cm
Length: 200cm
Fabric: 100% cotton
Brighten up your outdoor space with this rainbow-inspired double cotton hammock. It has a space-saving steel stand, carrying case (ideal if you want to take it on a picnic), and adjustable hammock hooks.
Width: 109cm
Length: 250cm
Fabric: Cotton
No outdoor space is complete without this navy blue garden hammock. Designed to help you recline alfresco, it boasts loops for hooking onto tree branches, wooden spreader bars to make it easier to get in and out off, and a comfortable cotton fabric.
Width: 100cm
Length: 190cm
Fabric: Cotton
This hanging hammock swing seat is brilliant for couples to soak up the sunshine in the garden together. Made from polycotton fabric with fringing, it's great for adding a statement to your outdoor space. This one is great to consider if you're looking to spend a bit more on a statement garden feature.
Width: 130cm
Fabric: 150cm
Length: Polycotton
Quick and easy to assemble, this modern durable polycotton hammock bed is great for larger gardens. If you're after an investment buy, this one ticks all the right boxes. As well as being incredibly comfortable, the sheer fabric provides a shield from the sun and a sense of privacy too.
Width: 150cm
Length: 175cm
Fabric: Grade polycotton canvas and aluminium
This 100 per cent cotton hanging hammock has comfort at its core. With knotted fringing at the sides and woven fixings, it's a brilliant style to add to your garden for summer. The classic black colourway makes it perfect for every garden design scheme, too.
READ MORE: Garden furniture sets perfect for your outdoor space
Width: 100cm
Length: 190cm
Fabric: Cotton
Take your relaxation one step further with this swinging hammock. With a soft fabric base and sturdy steel frame, it's perfect for those who don't have trees to hang their hammocks from. Best of all, the fabric can be easily removed and popped into the washing machine. The striped monochrome fabric brings style to your garden, while the base allows you to place it wherever is best.
Width: 120cm
Length: 290cm
Fabric: Cotton
Lisa Joyner is the Senior Digital Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
